NCR offers a paid fellowship program, designed to provide recent college graduates with firsthand experience at the nation's premier Catholic news organization.
The fellowship application process for 2023 is now open. The application deadline is May 1.
Program Description:
Working as full-time staff members for NCR, Bertelsen fellows have the unique opportunity to hone their storytelling skills with the help of a team of nationally recognized Catholic journalists. They gain firsthand experience in a fast-paced virtual newsroom by reporting stories that matter to the U.S. Catholic community and helping with the day-to-day business of news production.
Normal business hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Central time, Monday through Friday. Some work will happen outside normal hours, including evenings and weekends. Fellows receive a monthly stipend equal to $35,000/per annum and benefits, including health insurance, holidays, and paid time off. The position is remote, with the possibility of working at NCR offices in Kansas City, Missouri, or Washington, D.C.
Responsibilities:
• Report and write compelling news and feature stories for NCR's website and print edition, and occasionally for vertical publications Global Sisters Report and EarthBeat.
• Help maintain the NCR website under the supervision of the news and managing editors.
• Participate in the production of the biweekly print edition, which includes writing brief news stories and photo captions.
• Use visual or audio storytelling to create videos and/or podcasts for NCR publications and/or social media.
• Fellows are also encouraged to develop a specific, occasional beat within Catholic news reporting.
Program Dates:
The fellowship program begins in June/July 2023 and will run either for six months or one year, depending on the needs of the publication and the candidate.
About the Bertelsen Fellowship Program:
After joining the NCR Board of Directors in 2010, Tom Bertelsen set up an endowment fund to support promising young Catholic journalists. These young writers were originally known as "Bertelsen Interns." The program was renamed a fellowship program in late 2020. Their talents have helped shape NCR's editorial product as they have brought with them new journalistic skills and interests and fresh vantages on the church and wider social issues.
"The NCR internship gives young journalists the opportunity to report on important issues related to religion and public life. I explored the intersection of faith with immigration, accountability, culture and race. Whether it's reporting on climate change driving migration to the U.S., racism within the Catholic Church or downsides of medishare ministries — I was supported in every story by an excellent team. As a woman journalist of color, I was always encouraged to write on issues faced by people of color and amplify BIPOC voices. I was considered an integral part of the team and the confidence I gained from that showed in my work, which I'm very proud of. NCR fosters an environment of growth, encouragement and inclusivity." - Sarah Salvadore, Former NCR Bertelsen Intern
"The Bertelsen internship was a great way for me to kick off my career in journalism. As an intern, I was treated as a critical member of the NCR team, and had the opportunity to report on important topics like sexual abuse and climate change. And when I thought it might even be a good idea to pitch a multi-episode narrative podcast about a couple of eccentric peace activists, my editors gave me a shot!" - Jesse Remedios, Former NCR Bertelsen Intern
"As an intern, one of the things I most appreciated was the immediate practical reporting experience, probably the best way possible for me to quickly improve my reporting skills. I was assigned stories from day one and NCR encouraged me to develop a focus on my areas of interest, such as immigration and faith-based activism. I especially enjoyed getting to travel out of state on reporting trips three times, including a seven-day trip to Texas in September 2018 to cover the midterm elections in El Paso and a national Hispanic ministry gathering near Dallas." - Maria Benevento, Former NCR Bertelsen Intern